Chapter 189

Jon’s mouth was so dry he had trouble swallowing.

Look alive Jon! Breathe, swallow for God’s sake!

A hand reached out to her and steadied the pregnant woman as she slid off the horse. Everyone was mesmerized by the elegant woman, drifting down the aisle, the love evident in her dark eyes as she stared at her awaiting groom.

Megan felt her heart bounce in her chest as she walked towards Jon. A heartstopping smile played over Jon’s lips as he waited for her. He looked so immortal, standing there, Richie by his side. His eyes matched the blue of expanse of sky above him, the breeze teased the shirt from his skin, plucking lightly at the soft white material.

When her hand touched his outstretched pillar she felt like her destiny was fulfilled. She was born to be here today giving herself fully to the man she loved with her whole being.

Megan looked up at the love of her life, the tender smile on his face calmed her nerves and everything disappeared.

“God baby, you look gorgeous.”

She offered him a silent thank you.

For Megan there weren’t words or thoughts to describe how Jon looked, Godlike came to mind but somehow that didn’t even do him justice…

The gentle voice of the preacher turned them towards the altar. Their surroundings vanished, all that remained was the man and woman pledging their undying love to each other.

As if in a dream the preacher pronounced them husband and wife, Jon’s lips was soft yet steady on hers, his hands held hers, his wedding band felt alien against her fingers and suddenly realization dawned.

Mrs. John Francis Bongiovi!

~~

Sun was setting over the ocean and it only contributed to the romantic setting as the guests took their places at their tables, the sandy beach filtering through their toes, the ocean singing the setting sun’s praise.

Soft music filled the air and the champagne cork popped one after the other.

Megan and Jon settled in as Richie stood up, a champagne  glass dwarfed in his huge hands.

“I guess its now up to me to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Bongiovi. I have to admit I do this grudgingly. You see I was trying to keep Megan to myself, but rock star here somehow managed to snag her hook, line and sinker. Now I know it cannot be his looks, so I came to the conclusion seeing as Megan has more heart than meat on that tiny frame of hers, she must feel sorry for the poor fella. So all I can say baby, you just lost the catch of the millennium, sorry.”

He winked at her and turned back towards the guests, waiting for the laughter to settle down.

“Now I met this little lady when she was a bow legged, goo goo eyed teen. Ok, ok kidding, not THAT bow legged, she was kinda cute.That summer I found a new little sister, the whole band in fact, expect my buddy here. So years later I had the privilege to meet up with a beautiful woman and her son. They brought sunshine back into my brother’s life, lifted his spirit and gave him a reason to stare this crappy world in the face. So Megan, sweetheart, I thank you for that, I thank you for bringing joy into our lives and teach us how to love unconditionally. Sweetheart you are a star, the little light at the end of the tunnel.”

Richie’s voice wavered for a moment and no one missed the tears shining in his eyes.

“As for my closest friend, my brother, Jon. You’re a lucky man my friend, I can see the change that love and fatherhood brought to your life and can only wish I would be so lucky one day! I wish you two all the love and happiness this life could bring. Of all the people in the world you two deserve it the most! Now I know that you always wish the couple a wealth of children but hell I’m too scared Jon might take it too heart, he has one already, another one on the way…he may not stop! One thing I can say for sure is, thank God ugly men make such beautiful offspring or maybe we should be thankful for the beautiful mother! To love, happiness and beautiful, healthy kids! Lets toast! To Jon and Megan!”

“To Jon and Megan!” the guest echoed back.

Megan drifted among the guests after all the speeches were done. Poor Jon had a hard time getting  a word in, he was taunted mercilessly. Megan didn’t need to determine where Jon was, she could feel his loving eyes resting on her regularly.

After a scrumptious meal, Richie announced that the bride and groom should open the beach with the first dance. It was fully dark now but the night was lit with cheerful bonfires placed in strategic locations.

Megan’s gaze wandered over the flame lit faces of the guests, the men was all  dressed in the same manner as Jon and Richie, no ties, not shoes. The ladies looked lovely in long flowing sundresses, their toes dug into the creamy sand. This was all so perfect, so close knit and down to earth, no pretences.

She felt the slight tuck of Jon’s hand and as if his body called out to hers, she melted in his arms.

“Hey there sweet baby.”

“Hey to you too.”

The couple floating across the sandy earthen floor was silhouetted against the orange tongues of the bonfire, licking at the night sky.

Jon didn’t want to talk, his heart was overflowing with love and a calmness he haven’t felt in years. Life was wonderful, he had all he wanted, needed and more.

Closing his eyes, he pressed his face into her unruly curls, feeling their softness tickling his face, her scent filling his nostrils.

The song reached his ears, not even realizing it, the words formed on his lips, his low, husky voice drifting towards Megan.

*These arms of mine
They are lonely, lonely and feeling blue
These arms of mine
They are yearning, yearning from wanting you

And if you would let them hold you
Oh, how grateful I will be
These arms of mine
They are burning, burning from wanting you
These arms of mine
They are wanting, wanting to hold you

And if you would let them hold you
Oh, how grateful I will be
Come on, come on baby
Just be my little woman, just be my lover, oh
I need me somebody, somebody to treat me right, oh
I need your woman's loving arms to hold me tight
And I...I...I need...I need your...I need your tender lips

As the notes died away, Megan stared at her new husband, erotic promises turned her dark eyes to liquid chocolate.

“Let’s go home.”

*These arms of mine- Otis Redding.